Maryland joins states considering handcuffing TSA gropers

Last Friday, Maryland joined a growing list of states considering legislation that would say, “No!” to TSA groping.

Delegate Glen Glass (R – Cecil and Harford Counties) filed HB1111, which would prohibit a public servant from conducting searches for the purpose of entering a publicly accessible building or utilizing a public mode of transportation without probable cause or express consent.

The legislation also specifically prohibits “sexual harassment” by agents, defining harassment as, “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly touching the anus, sexual organ, buttocks, or breast of the other person, including touching through clothing; or causing physical contact with the other person when the public servant knows or should reasonably believe that the other person will regard the contact as offensive or provocative.”

Prosecutors could charge violators of the law with a misdemeanor, punishable by no more than one year in prison, or a fine of no more than $4,000, or both.

The law would effectively outlaw the most intrusive TSA searches without probable cause.